KR20220027156A - Systems and methods for removing contaminants from liquids - Google Patents

Abstract

A liquid treatment system and method for removing contaminants from a liquid stream are disclosed. A treatment system having a treatment zone, a nanobubble diffuser system and a skimmer cassette assembly is configured to remove agglomerates of nanobubbles and contaminants from a liquid stream. The nanobubbles are attached to the positively charged contaminant by a nanobubble diffuser system configured to diffuse the negatively charged nanobubbles into the liquid stream, and the nanobubbles and clumps of contaminants are directed toward the surface of the liquid stream in the treatment zone. It is prompted to float and removed by the skimmer cassette assembly. In some embodiments, larger bubbles are provided to increase the rate of rise of the contaminant. In some embodiments, the processing system is a floating vessel. In some embodiments, the processing system is configured to remove microplastics having a size of about 1 mm or less.

Description

Systems and methods for removing contaminants from liquids

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS:

This application claims the benefit of US Application Serial No. 62/870,755, filed July 4, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Fields:

The disclosed liquid handling systems and methods relate to treating liquids with air flotation techniques. In some embodiments, the air flotation technique is a nanobubble technique. In some embodiments, the liquid handling system is a flotation system.

The world's oceans, lakes, rivers and bays have been the source of pollutants such as oil and solid waste for decades, along with mismanaged plastic waste in areas of the world that lack the infrastructure needed to treat or recycle plastic waste such as the Third World. has been polluted by speculation. As a result, more than 100 million tonnes of inert plastic waste has accumulated in the world's oceans, lakes, ports, bays and rivers. Floating debris and plastic waste accumulates in the ocean gyre and collects in patches, where garbage, fishing gear and inert plastics float. The inert plastic waste is then exposed to the sun's ultraviolet light and photodegraded over time, which in turn breaks down into smaller pieces of plastic that further break down into microplastic particulates that are ingested by fish and aquatic life. Microplastic particulates also contain toxins that negatively affect marine life & fish within the largest ecosystem on Earth. Larger plastic waste is negatively impacting fish and whale populations. Floating plastic waste is also swept away by land, beaches and coastlines around the world, continuing to affect marine life and other related ecosystems.

In the past decade, there have been several attempts to clean up contaminants such as floating debris and inert plastic waste using fishing nets without effective removal of microplastics. One attempt is to use nets or bulkheads suspended by large floating booms propelled by wind and currents to capture or contain floating plastic waste. An issue with the present invention and with the process approach is that the boom is full of plastic waste and the microplastic tends to escape when the boom mounts the net. The combination of the inability to operate at velocities in excess of ocean currents, the lack of self-cleaning screen processes and the open net design do not effectively remove marine plastics from water. This is coupled with the fact that boom-mounted nets are simply a "passive" filtration process that simply "contains" debris and floating waste. Trapped microplastics are periodically removed by fishing boats equipped with nets to dislodge trapped plastics. The nets used are open nets that are larger in geometry than the captured microplastics to be removed, leaving huge amounts of marine plastics in the ocean. The boom-mounted nets do not allow for human interface control and make this technology ineffective for the controlled mass removal requirements needed to address these existential threats to the world's ocean sustainability.

Another prior art invention known by the inventor simply skims the surface of the water to remove debris and plastic waste that are just floating on the surface of the body of water. Numerous studies have demonstrated that marine plastics and microplastics exist to depths of about 5 meters or 15 feet below the surface of the water.

At the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution conference on Ocean Microplastics on October 15, 2019, Dr. Hideshige Takada said: He said that the most effective range for microplastic removal in the range of about 1.0 mm or less is to meet the marine plastic removal rate required for this. Further removal of microplastics in the ultrafine and nanoparticle range is classified as a reduced recovery of marine plastic removal needs and can also have harmful and negative impacts on marine biota and microscopic marine life.

The following summary is included to introduce only some concepts discussed in the Detailed Description below. This summary is not exhaustive and is not intended to delineate the scope of protectable subject matter set forth by the appended claims.

In some embodiments, liquid treatment systems and methods are configured as multi-hulled filtration vessels for the removal of floating contaminants and microplastics from water bodies such as oceans, lakes, rivers, ports and bays.

One advantage of the disclosed treatment systems and methods is the continuous removal and treatment of marine debris and microplastics with a nanobubble-infused dissolved air flotation process that operates between the hulls of a multi-hull vessel. The present invention solves the complications and issues associated with the known prior art inability to consistently remove microplastics from water bodies to acceptable levels. Embodiments of the disclosed treatment system are capable of removing continuously floating debris and marine plastics through a controlled screening and flotation process for removal of microplastics up to about 25.0 mm in size in some embodiments, and in some embodiments 2.0 mm or less, and in some embodiments may be removed to a range of 1.0 mm or less. Embodiments of the treatment system may also be configured to remove larger sized contaminants and debris.

Some embodiments of the liquid handling system may also allow the microplastic removal process to operate at elevated speeds of 3-5 knots or more in conjunction with a controlled and automated self-cleaning filtration, flotation and removal process. The self-cleaning screening process combined with the nanobubble-infused dissolved air flotation process can reach depths of 5 meters or more, depending on the size of the screen and the depth of the nanobubble-infused water distribution manifolds depending on the desired speed of operation of the vessel. Remove microplastic.

The relative size of the nanobubbles may be in the range of 40-200 nanometers (nm). Nanobubbles are also known to be negatively charged because they release hydroxyl radicals OH ⁻ after the diffusion process. Negatively charged nanobubbles are attracted to positively charged particles such as microplastics and then attract nanobubbles and attach to nanobubbles, or otherwise bind with nanobubbles and then with other contaminants attached to nanobubbles. agglomerate This nanobubble attraction-aggregation process continues until the mass of contaminants and nanobubbles solidifies and aggregates to improve buoyancy. The end result is flotation of microplastics into the water surface to achieve higher plastic removal rates in the dissolved air flotation process. Significant savings in operating costs are achieved as nanobubble flotation of microplastics occurs without the need for coagulating and coagulating chemicals such as polymers, coagulants or surfactants. The nanobubble-infused dissolved air flotation process also minimizes power consumption due to a significant reduction in circulation pump recirculation flow that is only a fraction of the flow rate and pressure requirements of conventional dissolved air flotation systems.

Agglomerated nanobubbles and plastic particles float on the water surface in the form of bubbles to be removed by one or a plurality of skimmers. An alternative defoaming process is to use flow through a band screen or drum screen. One preferred approach is to use a combination of a floating skimmer and a band screen or drum screen to maximize microplastic removal efficiency.

In some embodiments, the dissolved air flotation system includes a larger bubble diffusion means to form a larger bubble plume, or a blanket that floats, for improved flotation of contaminants and masses of nanobubbles. Provides increased buoyancy and bubble rise rate. The ability to control the concentration of larger bubbles allows control to provide an improved rate of ascent for contaminants and masses of nanobubbles. Adjustable control of the rate of rising of the floating large bubble blanket improves the removal rate of contaminants and agglomerates of nanobubbles and makes the filtration vessel operating faster. This normal rate control also maximizes the removal efficiency of microplastic particles and modulates the removal of higher concentrations of marine plastics as well.

In some embodiments, the multi-hull vessel has a plurality of quiescent treatment zones, each channel forming a quiescent treatment zone for a dissolved air flotation process used to suspend contaminants not removed by the self-cleaning screen. have a channel In this aspect of the invention, a dissolved air floating skimmer cassette or a plurality of floating skimmer cassettes operates within a channel space formed within the hull of a filtering vessel or within a channel formed between multiple hulls of the vessel. The hull or multi-hull of a filtering vessel may also be equipped with a plurality of bulkheads arranged on a longitudinal plane parallel to the hull or pontoons forming the sides of the dissolved air flotation process.

In some embodiments, a plurality of floating skimmer cassettes equipped with floating pontoons operate in channels integrated with the hull or multi-hull of the vessel. One advantage of these embodiments is that the overall bulk removal potential of microplastics from contaminated water bodies is increased with the ability to increase the operating speed of the filtration vessel. The in-hull dissolved air flotation process also increases the process efficiency of the filtering vessel due to the removal of multiple process feed pumps, existing dissolved air flotation devices, excess internal piping and valves. The in-hull dissolved air flotation process significantly reduces the cost of installing and operating multiple existing dissolved air flotation systems on the deck or multiple decks of a filtering vessel. Dissolved air floating skimmer cassettes float on a pontoon set and are equipped with lifting mechanisms for lifting or raising the floating skimmer cassette for inspection, maintenance, or to allow increased filtration vessel travel speed.

In some embodiments, the flow through the self-cleaning band screen or drum screen is located downstream after the dissolved air flotation process infused with nanobubbles to ensure removal of aggregated contaminants such as plastic waste up to 25.0 mm or greater; Some embodiments may remove contaminants up to a range of 2.0 mm or greater, and some embodiments may remove contaminants up to a range greater than or equal to 1.0 mm.

In one exemplary embodiment, a treatment system is provided for removing contaminants from a liquid stream comprising (a) a channel and a treatment zone defined by a depth, wherein the treatment system is configured to direct the liquid stream from an inlet to an outlet of the treatment area. a channel defined by one or more channel guides is configured, the liquid stream comprises a contaminant having a positive charge, and a nanobubble diffuser system is configured to submerge the liquid stream to a depth, wherein the depth is the defining a bottom of a treatment zone, wherein the nanobubble diffuser system is configured to diffuse a plurality of nanobubbles having a negative charge into the liquid stream, whereby the nanobubbles adhere to the contaminant, such as nanobubbles and clumps of contaminants. wherein the mass of nanobubbles and contaminants is urged to float towards the surface of the liquid stream in the treatment zone, and a skimmer cassette assembly is configured to remove the mass of nanobubbles and contaminants from the liquid stream, thereby The volume of contaminants in the liquid stream is a smaller volume at the outlet of the treatment zone than at the inlet of the treatment zone. In some embodiments, the liquid flow is from a larger liquid source, and the channel guide and nanobubble diffuser system is operatively coupled with a vessel floating in the larger liquid source. In some embodiments, the liquid flow is from a larger liquid source, the velocity of the liquid flow through the channel is defined by movement of the channel through the larger liquid source, and the position of the skimmer cassette relative to the nanobubble diffuser system. is defined by the rate of rise of the nanobubbles, the velocity and depth of the liquid flow through the channel. In some embodiments, the treatment system further comprises a larger bubble diffuser system positioned proximate the bottom of the treatment zone in a downstream direction of the liquid flow from the nanobubble diffuser system, wherein the larger bubble diffuser system comprises a plurality of large bubbles. is configured to diffuse, whereby the plurality of large bubbles creates a floating blanket of large bubbles to increase the rate of rise of the nanobubbles and contaminant masses. In some embodiments, the spacing of the nanobubble diffusion system to the skimmer cassette assembly is based on the rate of rise of the nanobubbles and contaminant agglomerates. In some embodiments, the skimmer cassette assembly includes a skimmer blade engaged with a skimmer drive, whereby the skimmer drive is configured to move the skimmer blade in a movement relative to the liquid flow, wherein the relative movement of the skimmer blade is opposite to the liquid flow, the skimmer blades configured to extend from a surface of the liquid flow to the skimming depth whereby the skimmer blades bind nanobubbles and clumps of contaminants in a direction opposite to the liquid flow Displace contaminants in the liquid stream. In some embodiments, the skimmer cassette assembly further comprises a skimmer beach assembly having an inclined beach surface whereby contaminants flow over the inclined beach surface and liquid as the skimmer blade moves over the inclined beach surface. is moved out In some embodiments, the skimmer assembly further comprises an auger channel in the inclined beach surface and contaminants are deposited in the auger channel as the skimmer blade moves over the inclined beach surface, the auger positioned in the auger channel ( augur) includes a wave containment edge formed at the leading edge of the skimmer beach assembly to remove the contaminants from the auger channel and to contain turbulence in the processing zone.

In some embodiments, the treatment system further comprises a plurality of contaminants in the liquid stream, wherein the one or more waste screens are positioned upstream from the nanobubble diffuser system, whereby the one or more waste screens are disposed of a portion of the large contaminants from the liquid stream. and one or more band screens or drum screens are positioned downstream of the nanobubble diffuser system whereby one or more band filters further remove the contaminants from the liquid stream.

In some embodiments, the volumetric flow rate of the liquid stream is greater than about 1 m 3 /s for each meter width of a channel of the treatment zone and for each meter depth of the treatment zone, and wherein the contaminants in the liquid stream at the outlet of the treatment zone are greater than about 1 m ³ /s. The volume of is at least 50% less in volume than the contaminants in the liquid stream at the inlet of the treatment zone. In some embodiments, the depth of the treatment zone is about 5 m. In some embodiments, the contaminants include microplastics having a size less than about 25.0 mm.

In some embodiments, the volumetric flow rate of the liquid flow is greater than about 3 m ³ /s for each meter width of a channel of the treatment zone and for each meter depth of the treatment zone, and the contaminants are microscopically sized less than 25.0 mm. and wherein the volume of contaminants in the liquid stream at the outlet of the treatment zone is at least 90% less in volume than the contaminants in the liquid stream at the outlet of the treatment zone, comprising plastic. In some embodiments, the depth of the treatment zone is about 5 m. In some embodiments, the contaminants include microplastics having a size less than about 25.0 mm.

In one exemplary embodiment, a floating skimmer cassette assembly for use with a liquid treatment system for filtering a liquid stream is provided comprising a skimmer blade operatively coupled to one or more skimmer cassette pontoons, whereby the skimmer blade is positioned proximate to the surface of the liquid stream, the skimmer blade operatively coupled with a skimmer drive, whereby the skimmer drive is configured to move the skimmer blade in relative movement relative to the liquid stream, the skimmer blade the relative movement of is in the opposite direction to the liquid flow, wherein the skimmer blade is configured to extend from a surface of the liquid stream to a skimming depth whereby the skimmer blade binds contaminants from the liquid stream at the skimming depth and the liquid It moves contaminants in the liquid stream in the opposite direction of the flow. In some embodiments, the floating skimmer cassette assembly further comprises a skimmer beach assembly having a sloped beach surface whereby contaminants are transported in a direction opposite to the liquid flow as the skimmer blades move over the sloped beach surface, in a direction opposite to the liquid flow. It moves over the surface and out of the liquid stream. In some embodiments, the skimmer beach assembly comprises an auger channel in the inclined beach surface that causes contaminants to settle in the auger channel as the skimmer blades move over the inclined beach surface, the auger channel being positioned in the auger channel and configured to remove contaminants from the auger channel and an auger configured, and a wave containment edge formed at the leading edge of the floating skimmer beach assembly to suppress turbulence in the liquid flow.

In one exemplary embodiment, contamination in a liquid stream comprising a treatment zone defined by a channel width, depth and length defined by one or more channel guides configured to direct a liquid flow from an inlet of the treatment zone to an outlet of the treatment zone A configurable liquid handling system for removing material is provided, wherein the nanobubble diffuser system is configured to submerge to said depth of a flow of liquid, said depth defining a bottom of said processing zone, and wherein a skimmer cassette assembly is an inlet of said processing zone. wherein the liquid stream comprises a contaminant having a positive charge and wherein the liquid stream is configured to diffuse negatively charged nanobubbles into the liquid stream, whereby the nanobubbles and the nanobubbles Adhering to a mass of contaminant and wherein said nanobubbles and mass of contaminant are urged to float toward a surface of a liquid stream within a treatment zone, said skimmer cassette assembly configured to remove said nanobubbles and mass of contaminant from said liquid stream and thereby the volume of contaminants in the liquid stream is a smaller volume at the outlet of the treatment zone than at the inlet of the treatment zone. In some embodiments, the position of the skimmer cassette assembly relative to the nanobubble diffuser system is defined by the rate of rise of the nanobubbles, the liquid flow rate and depth of the liquid flow through the channel width. In some embodiments, the liquid flow flows at a volumetric flow rate greater than about 1 m ³ /s for each meter of channel width of the treatment zone and for each meter depth of the treatment zone. In some embodiments, the liquid flow flows at a volumetric flow rate greater than about 3 m ³ /s for each meter of channel width of the treatment zone and for each meter depth of the treatment zone. In some embodiments, the liquid flow flows at a volumetric flow rate greater than about 1 m ³ /s for each meter of channel width of the treatment zone and for each meter depth of the treatment zone, the contaminant having a size of less than about 25.0 mm. wherein the volume of the contaminant in the liquid stream is at least about 50% less in volume at the outlet of the treatment zone than at the inlet of the treatment zone. In some embodiments, the liquid stream flows at a volumetric flow rate greater than about 3 m ³ /s for each meter of channel width of the treatment zone and for each meter depth of the treatment zone, the contaminant having a size of about 25.0 mm or less. wherein the volume of the contaminant in the liquid stream is at least about 90% less in volume at the outlet of the treatment zone than at the inlet of the treatment zone.

In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a filtration vessel comprising at least two hulls defining one or more channels through which water contaminated with contaminants may be removed, the filtration vessel comprising a nanobubble diffuser system wherein the contaminant water may be removed. and dispersing nanobubbles of air into a channel water stream flowing between two or more hulls to attach microbubbles to the material and create a mass of contaminants and nanobubbles, wherein the two or more hulls form a mass of contaminants and nanobubbles. define, wherein the larger bubble diffuser system is configured to diffuse a blanket of larger air bubbles at a point downstream of the nanobubble diffuser system to increase the rate of rise of the mass of contaminants and nanobubbles, wherein the larger bubbles The ratio of the mass of dispersed contaminants and nanobubbles to the blanket of . In some embodiments, the filtering vessel further comprises one or more floating skimmer cassette assemblies located within one or more channels, wherein the one or more floating skimmer cassette assemblies are located downstream of the nanobubble diffuser system, and wherein the one or more floating skimmer cassette assemblies are located downstream of the nanobubble diffuser system. Each of the skimmer cassette assemblies includes: a plurality of skimmer blades mounted on one or more chains having rotational motivity to remove contaminants from the water surface, and floating one or more floating skimmer cassette assemblies on the water surface. one or more pontoons mounted on the support structure of a floating skimmer cassette assembly configured to A wave suppression edge formed by the leading edge of a skimmer beach to suppress waves.

In some embodiments, the contaminants include microplastics having a size of about 25.0 mm or less, other contaminants having a size of about 25.0 mm or greater, and the liquid includes a water-based liquid.

In some embodiments, the contaminant comprises microplastics having a size of about 2.0 mm or less, and the liquid comprises an aqueous liquid.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the technology disclosed herein will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

A more specific description of the invention briefly described above will be provided with reference to specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, in which manner the other advantages and features of the invention described above are obtained. It is understood that these drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained in further detail and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings:
A more complete understanding of the methods and apparatus disclosed herein may be obtained by reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
1a is a starboard profile of a marine vessel equipped with an in-hull dissolved air flotation process and self-cleaning garbage screen 3 with integrated flow through the floatation skimmer cassette 16 and band screen 50 process. shows a schematic;
1B shows a cut-away portion of the embodiment of FIG. 1A;
2 shows bulkheads 23 used in the primary filtration process with conveyors 5 and 10, waste compactors/packers or extruders 13, shipping containers 15, deck cranes 7, etc. and/or shows a schematic plan view of the main deck of the filtering vessel and the self-cleaning waste screen 3 positioned between the pontoons 24 ;
3 shows a channel equipped with a self-cleaning screen and floatation skimmer 16 , a nanobubble distribution manifold 18 , a larger bubble distribution manifold 22 , and flow through a band screen 50 , etc. shows a transverse plan view under the deck of a filtering vessel;
4 shows the flotation skimmer cassette 16 and also behind the self-cleaning fine screen showing the flow through the band filter 50 , the nanobubble distribution manifold 18 and the larger bubble distribution manifold 22 . shows a schematic diagram of the bow profile of a filtering vessel in a horizontal cross section;
5a shows a front view of the floating skimmer cassette 16 assembly with the floating pontoon 25 and the skimmer blade 26;
Figure 5b shows a side view of the floating skimmer assembly 16 assembly with the floating pontoon 25 and the skimmer blades 26;
6 shows the floating skimmer cassette assembly 16 lift mechanism;
7 shows a schematic view of a skimmer beach-auger housing;
8 shows a three-dimensional view of the filtering vessel showing the self-cleaning garbage screen 3 , the deck crane 7 , the bow crane 8 and the aquatic life containment system 1 , 2 , etc.;
9 depicts the interaction of nanobubbles, larger bubbles and contaminants in an exemplary embodiment of a dissolved air flotation process;
10 provides a comparative example of the size of microbubbles and nanobubbles compared to microbubbles;
11 depicts the surface charge attraction of nanobubbles on contaminant particles such as microplastics in water;
12A provides an illustration of an exemplary treatment zone as defined for an embodiment of a treatment system;
12B and 12C provide graphical illustrations of the effect of exemplary relationships between flow rate (channel flow), ascent rate, depth, width, and treatment (float) zone length;
12D provides an illustration of a typical treatment (floating) zone and the effect of different flow rates on treatment zone length and treatment volume;
13A and 13B illustrate an exemplary relationship between the flow rate and the length and depth of the treatment (float) zone at a bubble rise rate of 0.25 m/sec;
14A and 14B illustrate an exemplary relationship between the flow rate and the length and depth of the treatment (float) zone at a bubble rise rate of 0.4 m/sec;
15A-15D illustrate exemplary contaminant removal efficiencies at various channel flow rates, channel depths, and bubble rise rates of 0.25 m/sec;
16A and 16B illustrate exemplary contaminant removal efficiencies at various channel flow rates, channel depths, and bubble rise rates of 0.4 m/sec; And
17A-17C illustrate exemplary removal efficiencies at various liquid flow rates for an exemplary embodiment of a liquid handling system.

A system and method for the removal of contaminants from a liquid stream will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the following description focuses on treatment systems for removing contaminants, such as microplastics, from water, it should be understood that the systems and methods disclosed herein have broad applicability. For example, the treatment systems described herein can be readily used with other liquids or other contaminants such as oils and greases. Notwithstanding the specific exemplary embodiments described below, all such variations and modifications envisioned by those skilled in the art are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Exemplary embodiments of a treatment system for the removal of contaminants from a liquid generally include means for physically defining a liquid treatment zone, means for diffusing bubbles into the liquid treatment system and near the surface of the treatment zone as effected by the bubbles. means for removing contaminants elevated from the In an operational embodiment, when the treatment system is used with a liquid stream, the volume of contaminants in the liquid stream is a smaller volume at the outlet of the treatment zone than at the inlet of the treatment zone.

The means for defining the liquid treatment zone may be any physical or relational benchmark for defining the liquid treatment zone. In some embodiments, the means for defining a liquid treatment zone is by disposing a treatment component in a liquid body. For example, a treatment zone may be defined by placement of a bubble diffuser in a body of liquid and the region of liquid affected by the bubble diffuser defines a treatment zone. In some embodiments, the treatment zone is defined by a channel of liquid and a depth of a bubble diffuser. In some embodiments, a channel is defined by one or more channel guides defining a channel width and is configured to direct a flow of liquid from an inlet of the treatment zone to an outlet of the treatment zone.

The means for diffusing the bubble may include any method of discharging the bubble into a liquid. In some embodiments, the means for diffusing bubbles into the liquid treatment zone is a bubble diffuser system, or bubble diffuser, commonly found in water and wastewater treatment facilities. In some embodiments, the bubble diffuser is a nanobubble diffuser configured to diffuse negatively charged nanobubbles into a liquid stream whereby the nanobubbles are attracted to and adhere to the positively charged contaminant and the nanobubbles and contaminants are removed from the liquid in the treatment zone. It is urged to face the surface of the flow. For use in the disclosed treatment system, some modifications may be necessary to accommodate a platform equipped with a bubble diffuser. For example, a bubble diffuser may need to be configured to operate in brine and the diffuser may need to be configured to be submerged in a flow of liquid in a floating vessel.

The means for removing contaminants effected by the bubbles and raised near the surface of the treatment zone may be any means or to scoop, attract or otherwise remove contaminants. In some embodiments, a skimmer system, such as a floating skimmer cassette assembly, is positioned near the liquid surface to physically trap and remove contaminants near the liquid surface.

1A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a processing system 100 including a floating vessel. As shown, the vessel is generally moving in direction D to create a flow of liquid below the vessel. The hull 24 defines the sides of the treatment zone and the bubble diffuser manifolds 18 and 22 are located at a depth defining the bottom of the treatment zone. The skimmer cassette 16 is configured to trap and remove contaminants from near the liquid surface.

FIG. 1B shows a cutaway portion A of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1A in greater detail. 1B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a treatment zone, bubble spreader and skimmer.

A treatment zone is generally defined as the depth, width and length of a channel for the liquid. Depth D is marked, representing the liquid depth from the liquid surface to the orifice of the bubble diffuser system, here the nanobubble diffuser manifold 18 . The length of the channel generally includes the length between the introduction of the liquid into the treatment zone, here the length from the nanobubble diffuser manifold 18 to the last contaminant removal, such as the end of the last skimmer (not shown). The width of the treatment zone is generally the channel width defined by the width of the flow channel, such as between the hull of a ship or other flow dividers.

The bubble diffuser system may be a nanobubble diffuser or other sized bubble diffuser. The nanobubbles are either diffused or dispersed into the channel liquid by a plurality of nanobubble diffuser systems or distributed by the nanobubbles injected water flow into an air flotation process through one or more horizontally mounted nanobubble distribution manifolds 18 . . The distribution manifold includes ducks constructed from elastomers such as Buna-nitrile, EPDM, Viton®, pure natural rubber, etc. to prevent backflow of water into the nanobubble distribution manifold (18). A set of beaked diffuser check valves may be provided. The nanobubbles diffuse into the water stream flowing through a plurality of microscopic through-holes in the porous nanobubble diffuser manifold 18 that lead to the selected channel water stream. Cavitation, such as an air suction pump, or other methods such as an air suction high-shear mixer can also be used as long as the nanobubble generation process is economically feasible and the nanobubbles are evenly distributed in the channel water flow. Microbubbles and larger air bubbles are dispersed or diffused into successive downstream stages of the dissolved air flotation process by means of a microbubble, fine bubble and/or coarse bubble diffuser 22 . These larger bubble diffusers 22 create a floating blanket of bubbles floating in the water to increase the rate of rise of contaminants and clumps of nanobubbles from the channel or plurality of channels to the water surface.

One or more floating skimmer cassette assemblies 16 may be mounted in a channel between the pontoons 24 and/or the hull and designed to float near a liquid flow surface. The floating skimmer cassette assembly, or floating skimmer cassette assembly 16, includes one or more skimmer blades operatively associated with one or more skimmer cassette pontoons such that the skimmer blades are positioned near the liquid flow surface and generally transverse the channel width. is extended across The skimmer blade is operatively coupled to the skimmer drive, whereby the skimmer drive is configured to move the skimmer blade in a movement relative to the liquid flow opposite to the liquid flow. The skimmer blades are also configured to extend from the liquid flow surface to the skimming depth whereby the skimmer blades bind contaminants in the liquid flow at the skimming depth and move the contaminants in the liquid flow in a direction opposite to the liquid flow with the skimmer drive. . In one embodiment, the floating skimmer cassette assembly is ABS (acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene)/Polyurethane, aluminum, stainless steel, or any Float on a set of dissolved air-floating skimmer pontoons composed of different corrosion-resistant materials. The skimmer drive may be a chain drive and the skimmer blades may be mounted horizontally to the chain drive, with each skimmer blade countercurrent to the movement of the vessel in a horizontal forward skimming action of the chain drive. is attached perpendicular to the The chain drive can run on a variable frequency drive to optimize the speed of the skimmer process.

The flotation skimmer cassette assembly prevents the dewatering of excess moisture as solids are discharged to a horizontal auger within the skimmer beach-auger assembly 17 for further transport to a compressor-extruder unit 13 for sludge dewatering or to a volute press. It is configured to skim and transport suspended marine plastics, microplastics and debris over the inclined beach of the skimmer beach-auger assembly ( 17 ).

Operationally, with reference to FIG. 1B , this portion of a method of using a liquid processing system, also referred to as a processing system, includes generating a flow of liquid entering a processing region. This liquid flow can be created by movement of the processing system in a large liquid body. The liquid stream is delivered to a treatment area where the liquid is exposed to an air flotation process. The dissolved air flotation process is initially saturated with high-density nanobubbles. Negatively charged nanobubbles generated by the nanobubble diffuser manifold 18 are attracted to the positively charged microplastic particles and adhere to the microplastic forming agglomerates of contaminants and nanobubbles. These clumps also coagulate with other contaminants and clumps of nanobubbles to coagulate into larger contaminant and nanobubble masses that enhance mass buoyancy so that microplastics float on the surface of the water in the form of bubbles.

The foam is then skimmed off and removed by a floating skimmer cassette (16). The flotation skimmer cassette 16 then kicks off the agglomerated microplastic particles using a plurality of skimmer blades moving counter-current to the channel water flow to kick off bubbles to the inclined beach of the skimmer beach-auger assembly 17 . pay The foam is dewatered on the sloped beach and eventually the semi-dewatered solids are discharged to the skimmer beach-auger assembly 17 for transport and dewatering. The skimmer is used for dewatering of excess water as the solids are discharged into a compactor-extruder unit 13 for sludge dewatering or a horizontal auger within the skimmer beach-auger assembly 17 for further transport to a volute press. Skim off and transport marine plastics, microplastics and debris suspended above the photo beach.

The latter flotation stage may be configured to have the highest concentration of microbubbles and larger bubbles to provide a blanket that floats at a faster rate of ascent to the water surface for bubble skimming and removal with the flotation skimmer cassette 16 . The number of flotation channels, the flotation stage and the length of the total flotation channels are directly related to the desired design speed of movement of the filtering vessel. The higher the desired speed of movement, the longer the vessel will be to provide adequate ascent speed and removal efficiency.

The nanobubble-infused water flow approach was determined to be a low energy consumption process with low maintenance requirements.

Referring again to FIG. 1A , processing systems and methods may include additional components to further enhance processing of liquids. Figure 1a shows the starboard profile of a filtering vessel equipped with a self-cleaning fine screen (6) and a self-cleaning waste screen (3) positioned between the double hull or pontoons (24) of the vessel used in the primary filtration process; show Double hull or multi-hull vessels are used in the filtration process of filtration vessels to provide open channels or multiple channels for mounting self-cleaning screens designed to effectively filter and remove microplastics from floating debris and contaminated water bodies. . A set fish deterrent system, such as an acoustic or visual deterrent system, is designed to deter a variety of fish and aquatic organisms in the marine filtration process by using the bow of the filtering vessel and the stem of the vessel's hull(s) or pontoon 24 to deter various fish and aquatic life. It can be mounted below the water line of the bed. Acoustic fish arrest systems generate acoustic sound waves emanating from the bow of a vessel and operate at multiple acoustic acoustic frequencies. Acoustic fish containment system 1 repeats a preset sonic frequency range according to a time-period that can be adjusted by the ship operator to deter fish and aquatic life based on their sensitivity to sound frequencies of the aquatic species and their species. can do.

A set of visual fish containment systems 2 equipped with high-intensity underwater LED lighting can be mounted on the bow of the vessel integrally with the self-cleaning garbage screen. High-intensity LED fish deterrence lights can repeat a time-periodic pulsating oscillation pattern of light to provide a visual deterrent to fish and aquatic life.

A plurality of primary self-cleaning coarse or self-cleaning garbage screens (3) are mounted on the forward leading edge of the bow of the filtering vessel, operating parallel to the perpendicular to the channel water flow and between the hulls or pontoons (24). It may span the entire width of the channel or channels formed in the hull, or it may span a plurality of channels formed between the hull, pontoon 24 and/or bulkhead of a multi-hull vessel. The self-cleaning waste screen (3) consists of vertically mounted parallel bars and is a corrosion-resistant material having the strength necessary to withstand the potential impacts and external forces of large objects that may occur during the primary screen process at various filtering vessel speeds. can be composed of

The self-cleaning garbage screen 3 is for removing floating debris and large objects. Garbage screens are equipped with horizontal conveyors (5) mounted decks to lift, raise and raise the trapped solids onto an upward moving trash rake (4) tines, skips or fingers. can be continuously cleaned with a set of The ascent speed of the tread rake (4) mechanism is regulated by a variable speed drive motor. The moving speed of the rake is increased or decreased to meet the plastic solids loading ratio which is also related to the moving speed of the vessel.

A horizontal conveyor 5 located on the deck of the filtration vessel can carry the screened solids to port or starboard to provide flexibility of process operation and redundancy of the screened solids compaction and dewatering process. The sorted solids are then transferred to the receiving hopper of the waste compactor-extruder device 13 for compacting and compacting the sorted solids through a restrictor plate mechanism 14 for compacting, compacting and dewatering the solids. It is conveyed on a set of inclined conveyors (10) for discharge to (12). The dewatered solids are then extruded and sent to shipping containers (15), barges, supersacks, etc. for transport back to a land-based recycling facility for further processing via deck cranes (7).

Large floating objects, fishing nets, etc. are equipped with a set of bow cranes 8 equipped with multi-pronged grapples and/or robots capable of shearing or cutting or devices equipped with diamond blades. The arm can be removed in the area of the channel between the bow of the filtration vessel.

A plurality of self-cleaning fine screens 6 may be located behind one of the self-cleaning waste screens 3 depending on the particle size distribution of the floating debris and the solids loading. The self-cleaning fine screens 6 are arranged parallel to the width of the channel formed between the hull, pontoons 24 or a plurality of channels formed between the hull, pontoons and/or bulkhead 23 . The self-cleaning fine screen 6 uses a rod, a perforated sheet of metal or a vertically mounted parallel rod with open areas or gaps between fine wedge-wire meshes. is made

The material of construction of the self-cleaning fine screen 6 may be corrosion resistant to water bodies requiring filtration as long as the material provides the necessary strength against external forces encountered during the fine screening process at various filtration vessel speeds.

The self-cleaning fine screen (6) also provides adequate depth for vessel speed or for regular inspection, service, preventive maintenance or completely removes the self-cleaning fine screen (6) from the water during higher vessel speed. can be operated at various angles from 0 to 90 degrees from vertical to

The self-cleaning fine screen 6 can also discharge the sorted solids to a set of horizontal augers or horizontal conveyors 5 and then transfer the sorted solids to a set of inclined augers 9 . The auger may also have a perforation in the lowest rising section to provide dewatering. The screened solids are then discharged to the hopper 12 of the waste compactor-packer or extruder device 13 . The packaged and/or extruded solids are then compressed and discharged into shipping containers 15, polypropylene super sacks, barges, etc. for transport back to a land-based recycling facility or disposal site. Packed solids, shipping containers (15), polypropylene super sacks, etc. are transported to the barge, transport vessel or shore pier via deck cranes (7) mounted on the deck of the filtering vessel.

The screened water then flows through a channel or a plurality of channels formed by vertical bulkheads mounted between the hull and/or pontoons 24 in the self-cleaning fine screen 6 . A set of wave suppression devices may be formed at the leading edge of the skimmer beach-auger assembly 17 to minimize the effects of turbulence and other waves on the dissolved air flotation process.

As discussed above with respect to FIG. 1B , the bubble diffuser system enables an air flotation process in a liquid stream. The nanobubbles may be diffused or dispersed into the channel water by a water stream injected with nanobubbles by a plurality of nanobubble diffusers or by a set of horizontally mounted nanobubble distribution manifolds 18 . Negatively charged nanobubbles generated by the nanobubble diffuser manifold 18 are attracted to positively charged particles and contaminants, such as microplastics, and adhere to particles forming agglomerates of contaminants and nanobubbles. The agglomerates also coagulate with other contaminant nanobubble masses and coagulate into larger contaminant and nanobubble masses to enhance collective buoyancy to suspend microplastics in the water surface as bubbles. Microbubbles and larger air bubbles are successive downstream steps of the dissolved air flotation process to provide a floating blanket in the water for increasing the rate of ascent of the mass of contaminants and nanobubbles from the channel or plurality of channels to the water surface. dispersed or diffused.

The foam is then skipped off and removed by the floating skimmer cassette assembly 16 . The latter flotation stage has the highest concentration of microbubbles and larger air bubbles to remove the floating blanket at a faster rate of ascent to the water surface to scoop and remove bubbles by the flotation skimmer cassette assembly 16 . The flotation channels, the number of flotation stages and the overall length of the flotation channels are directly related to the desired design speed of movement of the filtration vessel. The higher the desired speed of movement, the longer the vessel will be to provide adequate ascent speed and removal efficiency.

As solids are deposited in the auger channels, the skimmer collects the excess moisture so that it is discharged with the horizontal auger in the skimmer beach-auger assembly 17 for further transport to the compressor-packer or compressor unit 13 for sludge dewatering or to the volute press. Skim off and transport floating marine plastics, microplastics and debris on sloping beaches for dewatering.

A plurality of band screens 50 through which the flow passes may be located downstream of the floating skimmer cassette assembly 16 and may be mounted in a floating channel formed between the hull, pontoon 24 and bulkhead 23 . The band screen 50 is sized to remove any microplastic that is not floated, is not removed by the upstream nanobubble flotation process, and is not skipped off by the flotation skimmer cassette 16 . A band screen 50 through which the stream is passed discharges the screened solids to a horizontal auger 31 for further transport to a compressor-extruder device 13 for sludge dewatering or to a volute press. The band filter 50 through which the flow passes is adjustable to operate at an angle to increase microplastic capture and removal efficiency. The band screen 50 through which the flow passes is equipped with a lift mechanism that is fully retractable in the waterway for periodic maintenance, servicing, and during higher travel speeds and in the area to be filtered.

Large floating objects, fishing nets, etc. are removed in the channel area between the bow of the filtering vessel using a set of bow cranes 8 equipped with multi-pronged grapples or a robotic arm equipped with diamond blade cutting devices.

The contaminant filtration process of the filtration vessel consists of a channel wall having a set located behind a garbage screen, a second set located behind a fine screen, a third set located after the nanobubble flotation process and a last set behind a band screen through which the flow passes and the hull A plurality of turbidity sensors 33 located on the bed are monitored throughout the stages of the filtration process. The turbidity meter 33 will send the processed signals to the PLC and PC computer systems to monitor and record the removal efficiency and performance of the filtration vessel process.

Figure 2 shows the main deck - top view of a filtering vessel having two hulls or pontoons 24, the vessel providing open channels for effective filtration, removal and treatment of microplastics and debris floating in the water.

The filtering vessel is equipped with a self-cleaning garbage screen (3) located between the double hull or pontoons (24) of the filtering vessel, which is used for primary screening of floating debris, plastics and large objects. The self-cleaning rubbish screen 3 is mounted on a lifting cassette spanning the width of the channel formed between the hulls or pontoons 24 and/or between bulkheads 23 forming the channel between the hulls of a multi-hull vessel. is mounted

The self-cleaning waste screen (3) sorts into a set of horizontal conveyors (5) which carry the solids to a set of inclined augers (10) for discharge to the hopper (12) of the waste compactor-packer or extruder device (13). discharged solids. The compacted solids are compressed in the chamber by set hydraulic rams and dewatered when agglomerated or compacted through a set of discharge restrictor plates 14 followed by shipping containers for transport back to a land-based recycling facility or disposal site. (15), discharged in polypropylene super color and loaded onto barges, etc. The compressed bales, shipping containers 15 , polypropylene super sacks, etc. are transported via deck crane 7 from a filtering vessel to a barge or carrier.

Large floating objects, fishing nets, etc. are removed from the channel area between the hulls of the filtering vessel using a hull crane 8 equipped with a multi-pronged grapple or a robotic arm equipped with a diamond blade cutting device.

3 is an operation below the deck of a filtration vessel equipped with self-cleaning waste screens 3 mounted on screen lifting cassettes and showing the channels located between the double hulls or pontoons 24 of the filtration vessel used in the primary filtration process. A cross-sectional plan view of the region is shown. A set of self-cleaning fine screens 6 is mounted on a screen lifting cassette spanning the width of the channel formed between the hull, pontoons 24 and/or bulkhead 23 .

The floating skimmer cassette assembly 16 may be mounted in a floating channel formed between the hull, pontoons 24 and/or bulkhead 23 . The floating skimmer cassette assembly 16 may be designed to float on a set of skimmer pontoons constructed of ABS/polyurethane, aluminum, stainless steel or any other corrosion resistant material. The floating skimmer cassette 16 is equipped with a set of skimmer blades constructed of any material suitable for its purpose. In some embodiments, the skimmer blade is constructed of stainless steel and/or polypropylene. The skimmer blades are mounted horizontally to the skimmer drive and each skimmer blade is usually attached perpendicular to the horizontal forward skimming motion of the chain. The skimmer drive can be driven by a variable frequency skimmer drive motor to optimize the speed of the skimmer blades. The skimmer is then counter-current to the flow as the solids are discharged to the skimmer beach-auger assembly 17 and suspended contaminants (e.g. microplastics, oil, grease and debris above the inclined beach for dewatering of excess moisture) ) is removed. The solids are then conveyed and discharged to a set of horizontal augers 31 for further conveying and conveying to a plurality of sludge dewatering presses for sludge dewatering or oil separation/recovery systems.

A plurality of horizontally mounted nanobubble distribution manifolds 18 distribute the nanobubble-infused aqueous solution to treatment zone channels (dissolved air flotation chambers) for flotation of buoyant contaminants. The nanobubble distribution manifold 18 may be mounted horizontally and span the width of the double hull and/or pontoon 24 . Nanobubble distribution manifold 18 is a buna-nitrile (Buna-nitrile), EPDM, Viton, pure natural rubber (gum rubber), etc. A duck-billed check valve constructed of the same compatible elastomer may be fitted.

A plurality of band screens, belt screens or drum screens 50 through which the flow passes may be mounted downstream of the floating skimmer cassette assembly 16 in the flotation channels for sized and designed filters and capture rather than float in the nanobubble flotation process. Any suspended microplastics that have not been captured can be captured and removed.

A plurality of larger bubble diffuser systems, such as horizontally mounted microbubble, microbubble and/or coarse bubble diffusers 22 or distribution manifolds, provide increased rates of ascent and flotation to water-borne contaminants attached to nanobubbles. Distributes the bubbled aqueous solution or diffuses air downstream of the treatment zone channel (dissolved air flotation chamber) of the nanobubble distribution manifold 18 to form a blanket of coarse bubbles to provide The coarse bubble distribution diffuser or manifold 22 spans the width of the double hull and/or pontoon 24 and may also be equipped with a set of duck beak diffuser-type check valves to prevent backflow of water.

A plurality of band or belt filters 50 through which the flow passes may be mounted downstream of the flotation skimmer cassette assembly 16 in a filtration channel dimensioned and designed for filtration and is capable of suspending non-suspended and non-entrapped flotation in a nanobubble flotation process. It can trap and remove microplastics.

4 is a horizontal cutaway view behind the self-cleaning screen showing the floating skimmer cassette assembly 16 positioned between the hull, pontoons 24 and/or bulkhead 23 forming a channel for the microplastic flotation process of a filtration vessel. An example of the bow profile of a filtering vessel is exemplified in A nanobubble diffuser manifold 18 is shown below the dissolved air flotation skimmer cassette assembly for dispensing an aqueous solution infused with nanobubbles to suspend microplastic particles. Negatively charged nanobubbles are attracted to positively charged microplastic particles for enhanced buoyancy and flotation. Agglomerates of microplastics and nanobubbles are attracted to other microplastic contaminants to coagulate or aggregate into other larger agglomerated particles and masses. The increased concentration of larger bubbles (eg, microbubbles, microbubbles, and coarse bubbles) downstream of the liquid flow by a continuous coarse bubble distribution manifold 22 or diffuser to accelerate the ascent rate of the nanobubble flotation process. is injected with In a subsequent step the concentration of larger bubbles may be adjusted to a higher level to increase the buoyancy of the nanobubbles and clumps of contaminants depending on the speed of the vessel and the suspended solids load for the microplastic flotation process.

4 also shows the width W of the treatment zone in this embodiment. The width W is generally the dimension between the channel dividers.

5A and 5B illustrate a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a floating skimmer cassette assembly 16 and its components including a skimmer blade 26 and a skimmer drive 27 . 5A shows a front view of the floating skimmer cassette assembly 16 . 5B shows a side view of an exemplary floating skimmer cassette assembly 16 . The skimmer blade 26 may be operatively coupled to one or more skimmer cassette pontoons 25 such that the skimmer blade 26 is liquid for skimming contaminants and/or dissolved air floats from the water surface. It is located near the surface of the flow. The skimmer blade 26 may be operatively coupled to a skimmer drive whereby the skimmer drive 27 is configured to move the skimmer blade 26 in movement relative to the liquid flow. Generally, the relative movement of the skimmer blade 26 is in the opposite direction to the liquid flow. The skimmer blade 26 is configured to extend generally across the channel width and extends from the surface of the liquid flow to the skimming depth so that the skimmer blade 26 binds contaminants from the liquid stream at the skimming depth and contaminants suspended in the liquid stream. moves in the opposite direction to the liquid flow and out of the liquid flow. The skimmer blade 26 may extend some distance above the surface of the liquid to kick off any bubbles that may rise above the surface of the liquid. The skimmer drive 27 may include a variable speed motor allowing adjustment of the skimmer speed depending on the solids load and vessel speed. In some embodiments, a set of skimmer cassette pontoons 25 floats a floating skimmer cassette 16 in a channel. The skimmer cassette pontoon 25 is also designed to meet the buoyancy requirements of the working floating skimmer cassette 16 for optimum skimmer blade depth and to ensure effective skimming of nanobubble-infused microplastic foam and effective discharge into the auger. It may have a fine adjustment height adjustment function to meet the position control on the floating beach-auger assembly. Cassette pontoon 25 may be constructed of any suitable material to enhance the buoyancy of the floating skimmer cassette assembly. For example, but not limited thereto, the skimmer cassette pontoon 25 may be made of stainless steel, and/or polypropylene, glass fiber, nylon, or the like.

6 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a floating skimmer cassette assembly lift mechanism that may be used to provide adjustment for the floating skimmer cassette 16 with respect to its position in the beach-auger assembly. The floating skimmer cassette assembly lift mechanism also allows the operator to do inspection and service for floating skimmer cassette assembly maintenance and the filtration vessel lifts for a period of time as the filtration vessel sails to a target area designated for marine filtration or moves back to shore. The floating skimmer cassette 16 is raised above the water surface to allow it to operate at a given speed. The floating skimmer cassette assembly 16 lift mechanism is raised by a motorized winch using cables attached to the floating skimmer cassette assembly 16 . A set of four pivot swing arms 28 maintains controlled arc movement of the floating skimmer cassette assembly 16 while also maintaining the horizontal plane of the floating skimmer cassette assembly 16 . The upper part of the pivot swing arm (28) is connected to stationary pillow block bearings (29) mounted on the bottom of the ship's hull and the lower part of the swing poles is connected to the floating skimmer cassette assembly (16). Attached to a second set of pillow block bearings 30 mounted on the four sides of the The electric motor-driven winch 31 is attached to the floating skimmer cassette by a cable assembly. As the floating skimmer cassette assembly 16 lowers into place, it rests on the water surface with the skimmer beach-auger assembly 17 to reduce the load on the winch and pivot swing arms. A pressure transducer senses the buoyancy of the floating skimmer cassette and provides the necessary tension to the winch cables to ensure that the floating skimmer cassette 16 maintains the correct longitudinal position on the skimmer beach-auger assembly 17 . The electric motor-driven winch 31 stops lowering the floating skimmer cassette 16 when the cable tensiometer sensor 32 detects a decrease in winch cable tension. The cable tensiometer sensor 32 is fixed to the set position of the winch cable by an articulated tether so that the cable tensiometer sensor 32 can flexibly move according to the movement of the cable while maintaining the position of the cable. do. The cable tensiometer sensor 32 also continuously monitors the winch cable tension of the floating skimmer cassette 16 . Each floating skimmer cassette is also monitored for correct positioning on the skimmer beach-auger assembly 17 by an optical positioning sensor to ensure that the floating skimmer discharges defatted microplastic foam into the floating sludge auger. The optical positioning sensor also signals to the ballast control system to ensure that the floating skimmer cassette 16 is positioned on the skimmer beach-auger assembly 17 maintained by proper vessel ballasting.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the floating skimmer cassette 16 may also be raised and lowered with a hydraulic lifting mechanism as an alternative to a winch and cable mechanism.

7 illustrates a side schematic view of a skimmer beach-auger assembly 17 that is designed to span the width of the channel and provides a large sloped surface area for initial contaminant bubble dewatering. The skimmer blades of the floating skimmer cassette 16 move above the surface of the sloped beach and out of the liquid stream as the skimmer blades move over the sloped beach surface to remove excess moisture from the microplastic foam. The angle of inclination of the beach can be any angle suitable for that purpose. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination of the beach is in a range of greater than about 10 degrees and less than 90 degrees from horizontal. In some embodiments, the angle of inclination is in the range of 15-30 degrees from horizontal. The skimmer beach-auger assembly 17 is configured to receive a floating sludge auger (not shown) in the auger channel 19 and contain stainless steel, polypropylene, fiberglass or other corrosion-resistant and structural integrity to contain waves. It can be made of material. The auger can be placed in the auger channel 19 whereby the contaminant bubbles drop into the channel by gravity as they move over the inclined beach and the auger rotates along the channel to move the contaminant bubbles along the auger channel 19 . move out of the auger channel. The wave containment of the skimmer beach-auger assembly 17 is achieved by a wave containment edge, or leading edge 17E, and an inwardly curved radius configured to direct the forces and energy of the oncoming wave down the body of water within the channel. The leading edge 17E of the wave suppression structure is located on top of the skimmer beach-auger assembly 17 where an inwardly curved radius forces wave energy in a downward direction to suppress the wave. The inwardly curved radius may be any suitable curve to provide wave suppression. In one exemplary embodiment, the inwardly curved radius is about 45-90 degrees horizontally.

8 shows an acoustic marine life and fish containment system (1), a visual marine life and fish containment system (2), a self-cleaning garbage screen (3), a horizontal conveyor (5) and an inclined conveyor (10), a compressor-extruder (13), and a three-dimensional view of a filtering vessel moving in direction D showing the containers collecting the compacted and dewatered solid waste. It also shows a bow crane 8 and a main deck crane 7 for moving and transporting onboard containers by barge or carrier.

9 illustrates the interaction of nanobubbles, larger bubbles and contaminants in an exemplary embodiment of a dissolved air flotation process. Negatively charged nanobubbles are attracted to positively charged contaminants and aggregate with other contaminants into a larger agglomerated mass, resulting in improved particle size and buoyancy. The larger bubbles diffused downstream of the diffused nanobubbles form a large bubble blanket of bubbles with a faster ascent rate, which collectively improves and accelerates the flotation of agglomerated nanobubbles and contaminants. The flotation of the agglomerated mass is enhanced by the rise of larger bubbles that collide with the agglomerated mass and force upward, causing their rise to the surface. As shown, a skimmer (scraper) blade scrapes the agglomerated mass into bubbles from the surface of the liquid.

10 shows how the size of nanobubbles compares to microbubbles and microbubbles. Typical nanobubbles are in the range of 40-200 nanometers (nm). The figure compares 9 or 10 microbubbles to 1 microbubble to show that 10,000 nanobubbles will be present in a given area. Nanobubbles are physically invisible to the naked eye, and scattering of green laser light is required to see the presence of nanobubbles in water. Nanobubbles diffuse into micro-nanobubbles in the 50-micron range and shrink in size depending on the pressure of the gas delivered to the diffuser and the ions present on the surface of the liquid and gas. This phenomenon increases the ion concentration at the contact surface on the surface of the bubble and raises the bubble pressure and temperature of the bubble inside. Then radicals such as OH ⁻ are formed on the surface of the bubble, creating a negative surface charge.

11 shows the surface charge attraction of nanobubbles to particles and microplastics in water. Nanobubbles initially diffuse into micro-nanobubbles in the 50-micron range and shrink in size depending on the contact surface of ions on the surface of the bubble to form radicals such as OH ⁻ and the pressure of the diffused gas. This phenomenon of accumulation of radicals such as the hydroxyl radical OH ⁻ creates a negative charge on the surface of the bubble. The nanobubbles are then attracted to the positively charged particles in water and accumulate on or adhere to the particle surface. Most microplastics are known to have a positive surface charge and therefore, this attachment of nanobubbles on the surface of these particles increases the overall particle size and forms agglomerates with other particles, thereby increasing the overall mass and buoyancy of the particles. make it

12A-12D illustrate features of an exemplary embodiment of a liquid treatment system for removing contaminants at various water flow rates. As shown in FIG. 12A , a treatment zone of liquid is an area defined by a width W, depth D, and length L of a body of liquid flowing through the treatment system. As described herein, width W is generally the width of one or more channels, depth D is generally the depth of the deepest nanobubble injector nozzle that injects nanobubbles and larger bubbles into the body of liquid, Length L is generally the length of the channel that treats the liquid by removing contaminants. Length L is defined by the furthest skimmer where the skimmer blades skim off contaminants from the surface of the liquid (see Figure 1B). Since the skimmer blades are part of one or more floating skimmer cassettes, the length L is variable and can be increased by moving the floating skimmer cassettes away from the inlet of the processing area. 12B-12D, this changeable and variable length of the processing zone allows the liquid processing system to accommodate a wide range of flow rates into the processing system. Length L is usually defined by the rate of flow of the liquid and the rate of rise of the nanobubbles and contaminant masses. 12B illustrates the general effect of a depth of 5 meters, a flow rate of 2.5 m/sec and an ascent rate on the length of a given treatment area. 12C illustrates the general effect of a given depth of 2.5 meters, a flow rate of 5 m/sec and a given ascent rate on the length of a given treatment zone. 12D illustrates an exemplary treatment zone having a depth of 5 meters, a width of 20 meters and a length dependent on the rate of rise and the flow rate of the liquid.

Conceptually, since the length of the processing zone is generally limited by the position of the floating skimmer cassette assembly, given the location of the floating skimmer cassette assembly to an infinite length at the beginning of the processing zone, the flow rate can be infinite. This conceptual ability to accommodate infinite flow rates also allows for infinite volumetric flow rates by increasing the width of the treatment area. The ability to extend and widen the treatment zone and to accommodate different flow rates is also improved by embodiments of the treatment system suspended in a large body of liquid. For example, a vessel configured with a treatment system has a far greater ability to expand its treatment area at sea than a geographically constrained onshore treatment facility. The ability of the treatment system to vary the rate of rise of nanobubbles and contaminant masses further increases the system's ability to accommodate a wide range of flow rates. Together, these features of the treatment system are particularly helpful in allowing the system to handle very high flow rates by increasing the length of the treatment zone and/or increasing the rate of rise of the bubble blanket.

The rate of rise of the bubble blanket affects the length of the treatment zone by varying the rate at which the large bubble blanket affects the mass of nanobubbles and contaminants to rise the body of liquid in the treatment area. The ascent rate is generally configured to match the length of the floating skimmer cassette assembly with the flow rate of the liquid from the beginning of the treatment zone. This allows the nanobubbles and contaminant masses to rise to the surface of the liquid at depth D before the end of the treatment zone where the nanobubbles and contaminant masses can be removed by the skimmer blade. It should be understood, however, that the configuration of the processing system may have an ascending rate configured to allow the mass of nanobubbles and contaminants to rise before and after the last floating skimmer cassette assembly. For configurations with ascent rates calculated to elevate the mass of nanobubbles and contaminants after the last skimmer blade, all other variables being equal, the rate of contaminant removal is as high as that the mass of nanobubbles and contaminants is before the last skimmer blade. It should be understood that if you climb from the last skimmer blade, it will most likely be lower than that.

13A illustrates the bubble rise rates at various vessel velocities (which define the liquid flow rate) at a treatment zone depth of 5 meters and the resulting length of the treatment (floating) zone. This graphical representation shows the length of the treatment zone as a function of a nominal bubble rise rate of 0.25 m/sec. Exemplary embodiments may have a range of characteristics with respect to ascent speed: a vessel of about 2-16 knots or about 1-8 m/s (eg, 5 knots for an optimal design speed). speed; Ascent rate of about 0.25-0.40 meters per second; and a nanobubble diffusion depth range of about 1-10 meters (eg, 5 meters for a vessel speed of 8 knots). The contaminant agglomerated nanobubble removal efficiency is at various velocities as long as the contaminant and agglomerated nanobubbles trapped by the large bubble blanket plume can rise to the surface at a given vessel velocity within the length of the vessel treatment (float) zone. should be substantially the same. Therefore, the higher the vessel speed, the longer the processing (float) zone of the vessel must be to capture the plume of the flotation blanket. The slower the vessel speed, the higher the density of nanobubbles and large bubbles. Therefore, at higher speeds, more nanobubbles and larger bubble diffusion are needed to maintain the optimal density of the floating blanket.

A feature of the disclosed treatment system is at any flow rate of liquid through the treatment zone. By way of illustration and not limitation, FIG. 13A shows flow rates (in meters and knots per second), a large bubble blanket rise rate of about 0.25 m/sec (meters per second) at a depth of 5 meters, and the resulting treatment (float) zone length. An example relationship of In one exemplary embodiment, the treatment system may be configured to process a liquid at a volumetric flow rate greater than about 5.14 m ³ /sec (cubic meters per second). This example shows a treatment area per meter width with a depth of 5 meters and a flow rate of about 1 m/sec (about 2 knots). For this embodiment, the rate of ascent may be about 0.25 m/sec and the resulting length will be at least about 20 m (see line A). In another exemplary embodiment, the treatment system may be configured to process a liquid at a volumetric flow rate of about 12.86 m ³ /sec. This example shows a treatment area per meter width with a depth of 5 meters and a flow rate of about 2.5 m/sec (about 5 knots). For this embodiment, the rate of ascent may be about 0.25 m/sec and the expected length will be at least about 51 m (see line C). In another exemplary embodiment, the treatment system may be configured to process a liquid at a volumetric flow rate of about 25.72 m ³ /sec. This example shows a treatment area per meter width with a depth of 5 meters and a flow rate of about 5 m/sec (about 10 knots). For this embodiment the rate of ascent may be about 0.25 m/sec and the expected length will be at least about 102 m (see line E).

13B shows an exemplary relationship of flow rate (meters and knots per second), a large bubble blanket rise rate of 0.25 m/sec at a depth of 2.5 meters, and the resulting treatment (floating) zone length. In one exemplary embodiment, the treatment system may be configured to process a liquid at a volumetric flow rate greater than about 2.57 m ³ /sec. This example shows a treatment area per meter width with a depth of 2.5 meters and a flow rate of about 1 m/sec (about 2 knots). For this embodiment, the rate of ascent may be about 0.25 m/sec and the resulting length will be at least about 10 m (see line A). In another exemplary embodiment, the treatment system may be configured to process a liquid at a volumetric flow rate of 6.43 m ³ /sec. This example shows a treatment area per meter width with a depth of 2.5 meters and a flow rate of about 2.57 m/sec (about 5 knots). For this embodiment, the ascent rate may be about 0.25 m/sec and the length will be at least about 25 m (see line C). In another exemplary embodiment, the treatment system may be configured to process a liquid at a volumetric flow rate of 12.86 m ³ /sec. This example shows a treatment area per meter width with a depth of 2.5 meters and a flow rate of about 5 m/sec (about 10 knots). For this embodiment, the rate of ascent may be about 0.25 m/sec and the expected length will be at least about 51 m (see line E).

Similar to FIGS. 13A and 13B , FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate an exemplary relationship between the flow rate and the length and depth of the treatment (float) zone given a bubble rise rate of 0.4 m/sec. As shown, flow rates can range from 1 m/sec to greater than 8 m/sec. Larger flow rates are also possible.

15A-15D illustrate exemplary contaminant removal efficiencies at various channel flow rates, channel depths, and bubble rise rates of 0.25 m/sec. The removal percentage reflects the percentage removal of less than about 25.0 mm of contaminant from the liquid stream exiting the end of the treatment zone compared to the level of contaminant less than 25.0 mm entering the treatment zone. In some embodiments, the percentage removal of contaminants is the percentage removal of contaminants less than about 10.0 mm, in some embodiments the percentage removal of contaminants is the percentage removal of contaminants that are less than about 2.0 mm in size, and in some embodiments, the percentage removal of contaminants less than about 2.0 mm in size. The percent removal of material is the percentage removal of contaminants that are less than about 1.0 mm in size. In some embodiments, the contaminant is microplastic. As shown, the removal efficiency for this configuration can vary with the volumetric flow rate. 15A shows a graph of removal rate per volumetric flow rate with a flow rate of 2.5 m/sec, ascent rate of 0.25 m/sec, and a treatment (floating) zone having a width of 20 meters, a depth of 5 meters and a length of 50 meters. For example, a removal percentage greater than or equal to 90% at a volumetric flow rate of up to about 150 m ³ /sec; removal percentage greater than 75% at volumetric flow rates up to about 330 m ³ /sec; and removal percentages greater than or equal to 50% at volumetric flow rates of up to about 500 m ³ /sec. 15B shows a graph of removal rate per volumetric flow rate in a treatment (floating) zone having a flow rate of 5 m/sec, an ascent rate of 0.25 m/sec and a 20 meter width, 2.5 meter depth and 50 meter length. For example, a removal percentage greater than or equal to 90% at a volumetric flow rate of up to about 110 m ³ /sec; removal percentage greater than 75% at volumetric flow rates up to about 270 m ³ /sec; and removal percentages of at least 50% at volumetric flow rates of up to about 410 m ³ /sec. 15C shows a graph of removal rate per volumetric flow rate in a treatment (float) zone having a flow rate of 4 m/sec, an ascent rate of 0.25 m/sec, and a 20 meter width, 2.5 meter depth and 50 meter length. For example, a removal percentage greater than or equal to 90% at a volumetric flow rate of up to about 80 m ³ /sec; removal percentage greater than 75% at volumetric flow rates up to about 220 m ³ /sec; and removal percentages greater than or equal to 50% at volumetric flow rates of up to about 360 m ³ /sec. 15D shows a graph of the removal rate per volumetric flow rate in a treatment (float) zone having a flow rate of 8 m/sec, an ascent rate of 0.25 m/sec, and a 20 meter width, 2.5 meter depth and 50 meter length. For example, a removal percentage greater than or equal to 90% at a volumetric flow rate of up to about 110 m ³ /sec; removal percentage greater than 75% at volumetric flow rates up to about 270 m ³ /sec; and removal percentages of at least 50% at volumetric flow rates of up to about 410 m ³ /sec.

16A and 16B illustrate exemplary contaminant removal efficiencies at various channel flow rates, various channel depths, and bubble rise rates of 0.4 m/sec. 16D shows a graph of removal rate per volumetric flow rate in a treatment (float) zone having a flow rate of 4 m/sec, an ascent rate of 0.4 m/sec, and a 20 meter width, 5 meter depth and 50 meter length. For example, a removal percentage greater than or equal to 90% at a volumetric flow rate of up to about 150 m ³ /sec; removal percentage greater than 75% at volumetric flow rates up to about 330 m ³ /sec; and removal percentages greater than or equal to 50% at volumetric flow rates of up to about 500 m ³ /sec. 16B shows a graph of removal rate per volumetric flow rate in a treatment (float) zone having a flow rate of 8 m/sec, an ascent rate of 0.4 m/sec, and a 20 meter width, 2.5 meter depth and 50 meter length. For example, a removal percentage greater than or equal to 90% at a volumetric flow rate of up to about 190 m ³ /sec; and removal percentages of at least 75% at volumetric flow rates of up to about 380 m ³ /sec.

The percentage removal of contaminants in the treatment zone may be any removal rate depending on the configuration of the treatment system. In general, percent removal is based on exposure of contaminants to nanobubbles and larger bubble blankets. The more contaminants suspended in the treatment zone, the more contaminants can be removed. The amount of contaminant that can rise depends on the flow rate of the liquid, the rate of rise of the larger bubble blanket, and the length and depth of the treatment zone. Since all of these can be changed in different embodiments, the result is a changeable processing system. Embodiments of the treatment system may remove any range of contaminants over any flow rate as long as the rate of rise and the depth and length of the treatment zone are properly matched for the flow rate. Similarly, the volumetric flow rate can be altered based on changing the width of the treatment zone. As a result, in some embodiments, the contaminant removal from the liquid is at least about 30% removal, in some embodiments at least about 50% removal, in some embodiments at least about 70% removal, and in some embodiments at least about 90% removal. can This rate of removal efficiency can exceed any flow rate as long as the rate of rise and the depth and length of the treatment zone are properly matched. This ratio of efficiency may also exceed any volumetric flow rate as long as the width of the treatment area is appropriately matched.

By way of example, and as shown in FIG. 17A , the processing system can provide a volumetric flow rate greater ^{than about 5 m 3 /} sec (eg, a flow rate of 2 knots and It can be configured to remove any percentage of contaminants from a treatment zone depth of 5 meters). Additionally, the treatment system may be configured to remove at least about 50% of the contaminants at any volumetric flow rate indicated by the 50% or greater area on the graph. The treatment system may be configured to remove at least about 50% of the contaminant at a volumetric flow rate of at least about 5 m ³ /sec, indicated by the overlapping area of the two areas of the graph.

As another example, as shown in FIG. 17B , the processing system can provide a volumetric flow rate greater than about 15 m ³ /sec (eg, a flow rate of 6 knots and a processing zone depth of 5 meters) indicated by the right area in the graph. can be configured to remove any percentage of contaminants from In addition, the treatment system may be configured to remove at least about 70% of the contaminants at any volumetric flow rate indicated by the 70% or greater area on the graph. The treatment system may be configured to remove at least about 70% of the contaminant at a volumetric flow rate of at least about 15 m ³ /sec, indicated by the overlapping area of the two regions of the graph.

As another example, and as shown in FIG. 17C , the processing system can provide a volumetric flow rate greater than about 26 m ³ /sec (eg, a flow rate of 10 knots and a processing zone depth of 5 meters) indicated by the right area in the graph. ) can be configured to remove any percentage of contaminants from In addition, the treatment system may be configured to remove at least about 90% of the contaminants at any volumetric flow rate indicated by the 90% or greater area on the graph. The treatment system may be configured to remove at least about 90% contaminants at a volumetric flow rate of at least about 26 m ³ /sec, indicated by the overlapping area of the two regions of the graph.

It should also be understood that the above volumetric flow rates are based on the width per meter of the treatment zone. The volumetric flow rate can be increased by increasing the width of the treatment channel and treatment zone. This is particularly useful in the case of a floating vessel where the treatment system may have a very wide width and thus the treatment channels may be very wide.

It should also be understood that the volumetric flow rate may be defined as the width per meter of the treatment zone and the depth per meter of the treatment zone. For the above example using a depth of 5 meters, dividing the volumetric flow rate by the example depth of 5 meters defines the volumetric flow rate at both the per-meter width and per-meter depth of the treatment zone.

It should be understood that for the above embodiment having a depth of 5 meters, by increasing and decreasing the depth, the volumetric flow rate can be increased and decreased correspondingly.

In addition to configurations capable of accommodating a variety of volumetric flow rates, particularly high volumetric flow rates, embodiments of the processing system are capable of continuous operation. This is particularly useful in embodiments where the vessel is configured on a floating vessel that handles a body of floating liquid. One particular illustrative embodiment is a marine vessel having a treatment system configured to remove microplastic contaminants from the ocean over an extended period of time.

While the present invention has been described in the above form with a certain degree of specificity, it is to be understood that the foregoing is regarded as illustrative only of the principles of the present invention. Moreover, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desirable to limit the invention to the specific construction and operation shown and described, and therefore, all suitable modifications and equivalents will be recited in the claims and their equivalents. It may be used within the scope of the present invention as defined.

Claims (28)

A treatment system for removing contaminants from a liquid stream comprising:
a treatment zone defined by a channel and a depth;
the channel defined by one or more channel guides configured to direct a flow of liquid from an inlet of the treatment zone to an outlet of the treatment zone;
said liquid stream comprising a contaminant having a positive charge;
a nanobubble diffuser system configured to be submerged in the liquid flow to the depth;
the depth defining a bottom of the treatment zone;
configured to diffuse a plurality of nanobubbles having a negative charge into the liquid stream, whereby the nanobubbles adhere to the contaminant as masses of nanobubbles and contaminants and wherein the masses of nanobubbles and contaminants are removed from the treatment zone. the nanobubble diffuser system urged to float towards the surface of the liquid stream; and
a skimmer cassette configured to remove the nanobubbles and contaminant clumps from the liquid stream such that the volume of contaminant in the liquid stream has a smaller volume at the outlet of the treatment zone than at the inlet of the treatment zone. assembly); comprising a processing system. According to claim 1,
the liquid stream is from a larger liquid source; And
wherein the channel guide and the nanobubble diffuser system are operatively connected to a vessel floating in the larger liquid source. According to claim 1,
the liquid stream is from a larger liquid source;
the velocity of the liquid flow through the channel is defined by the movement of the channel through the larger liquid source; And
The position of the skimmer cassette assembly relative to the nanobubble diffuser system is defined by the rate of rise of the nanobubbles, the velocity of liquid flow through the channel and the depth. According to claim 1,
a larger bubble diffuser system located near the floor in the treatment zone and downstream of the liquid flow in the nanobubble diffuser system; And
The larger bubble diffuser system is configured to diffuse a plurality of large bubbles in the liquid stream, whereby the plurality of large bubbles is a floating blanket of large bubbles for increasing the rate of rise of the mass of nanobubbles and contaminants. A processing system that creates a (blanket). 5. The processing system of claim 4, wherein the spacing of the nanobubble diffuser with respect to the skimmer cassette assembly is based on the rate of rise of the mass of nanobubbles and contaminants. The method of claim 1, wherein the skimmer cassette assembly comprises:
a skimmer blade coupled to a skimmer drive whereby the skimmer drive is configured to move the skimmer blade in relative movement to the liquid flow;
the relative movement of the skimmer blade is in a direction opposite to the liquid flow; And
The skimmer blade is configured to extend from a surface of the liquid stream to a skimming depth whereby the skimmer blade engages the mass of nanobubbles and contaminants in the liquid stream to the skimming depth and in the liquid stream. moving the contaminant in a direction opposite to the liquid flow. 7. The skimmer cassette assembly of claim 6, wherein the skimmer cassette assembly further comprises a skimmer beach assembly having a beveled beach surface, whereby the contaminants are transferred over the beveled beach surface as the skimmer blade moves over the beveled beach surface. moving over a surface and out of the flow of liquid. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the skimmer assembly comprises:
an auger channel in the inclined beach surface in which the contaminant deposits in the augur channel as the skimmer blade moves over the inclined beach surface;
an auger positioned within the auger channel configured to remove the contaminant from the auger channel; and
and a wave suppression edge formed on the leading edge of the skimmer beach assembly to suppress turbulence in the treatment zone. According to claim 1,
The contaminants are:
microplastics having a size less than about 25.0 mm, and
other contaminants having a size greater than about 25.0 mm; And
wherein the liquid comprises an aqueous liquid. According to claim 1,
the contaminant includes microplastics having a size less than about 2.0 mm; And
wherein the liquid comprises an aqueous liquid. According to claim 1,
a plurality of large contaminants in the liquid stream;
one or more garbage screens positioned upstream in the nanobubble diffuser system, whereby the one or more garbage screens remove a portion of the large contaminants from the liquid stream; and
and one or more band screens positioned downstream from the nanobubble diffuser system, whereby the one or more band screens further remove the contaminants from the liquid stream. According to claim 1,
the volumetric flow rate of the liquid flow is greater than about 1 cubic meter per second for each meter width of the channel in the treatment zone and for each meter depth of the treatment zone; And
wherein the volume of the contaminant of the liquid stream at the outlet of the treatment zone is at least about 50 percent less than the volume of the contaminant of the liquid stream at the inlet of the treatment zone. The processing system of claim 12 , wherein the depth of the processing zone is about 5 meters. 13. The processing system of claim 12, wherein the contaminant comprises microplastics having a size less than about 25.0 mm. According to claim 1,
the volumetric flow rate of the liquid flow is greater than about 3 cubic meters per second for each meter width of the channel in the treatment zone and for each meter depth of the treatment zone;
the contaminant comprises microplastics having a size less than about 25.0 mm; And
wherein the volume of the contaminant in the liquid stream at the outlet of the treatment zone is at least about 90% less than the volume of the contaminant in the liquid stream at the inlet of the treatment zone. The processing system of claim 15 , wherein the depth of the processing zone is about 5 meters. 16. The processing system of claim 15, wherein the contaminant comprises microplastics having a size less than about 25.0 mm. A floating skimmer cassette assembly for use with a liquid handling system to filter a liquid stream, the floating skimmer cassette assembly comprising:
a skimmer blade operatively coupled to one or more skimmer cassette pontoons, whereby the skimmer blade is positioned proximate a surface of the liquid stream;
the skimmer blade is operatively coupled with a skimmer drive, whereby the skimmer drive is configured to move the skimmer blade in a movement relative to the liquid flow;
the relative movement of the skimmer blade is in the opposite direction to the liquid flow; And
The skimmer blades are configured to extend from a surface of the liquid stream to a skimming depth whereby the skimmer blades combine contaminants from the liquid stream at the skimming depth and displace contaminants in the liquid stream in a direction opposite to the liquid stream. A moving, floating skimmer cassette assembly. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the floating skimmer cassette assembly further comprises a skimmer beach assembly having a sloped beach surface, whereby the contaminants are repelled against the liquid flow as the skimmer blades move over the sloped beach surface. A floating skimmer cassette assembly that is moved in opposite directions over the inclined beach surface and out of the liquid stream. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the skimmer beach assembly comprises:
an auger channel in the inclined beach surface in which the contaminants are deposited in the auger channel as the skimmer blade moves over the inclined beach surface;
an auger positioned in the auger channel and configured to remove the contaminant from the auger channel; and
and a wave suppression edge formed on a leading edge of the floating skimmer beach assembly to suppress turbulence in the liquid stream. A changeable liquid treatment system for removing contaminants from a liquid stream, the changeable liquid treatment system comprising:
treatment zone defined by channel width, depth and length;
the channel width defined by one or more channel guides configured to direct a flow of liquid from an inlet of the treatment zone to an outlet of the treatment zone;
a nanobubble diffuser system configured to be submerged in the liquid stream to the depth;
the depth defining a bottom of the treatment zone;
a skimmer cassette assembly positioned from an inlet of said processing zone and defining said length of said processing zone;
the liquid stream contains contaminants having a positive charge;
The nanobubble diffuser system is configured to diffuse negatively charged nanobubbles into the liquid stream such that the nanobubbles adhere to the contaminant as a mass of nanobubbles and contaminants and the nanobubbles and contaminant masses are prompted to float towards the surface of the stream of liquid within the treatment zone; And
wherein the skimmer cassette assembly is configured to remove agglomerates of the nanobubbles and contaminants from the liquid stream such that the volume of contaminants in the liquid stream is a smaller volume at the outlet of the treatment zone than at the inlet of the treatment zone. , a changeable liquid handling system. 22. The changeable liquid of claim 21, wherein the position of the skimmer cassette assembly with respect to the nanobubble diffuser system is defined by the ascent velocity of the nanobubbles, the liquid flow velocity and the depth of the liquid flow through the channel. processing system. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the liquid flow flows at a volumetric flow rate greater than about 1 cubic meter per second for each meter of the channel width of the treatment zone and for each meter depth of the treatment zone. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the liquid flow flows at a volumetric flow rate greater than about 3 cubic meters per second for each meter of the channel width of the treatment zone and for each meter depth of the treatment zone. 22. The method of claim 21,
the liquid flow flows at a volumetric flow rate greater than about 1 cubic meter per second for each meter of the channel width of the treatment zone and for each meter depth of the treatment zone;
the contaminant comprises microplastics having a size less than about 25.0 mm; And
wherein the volume of the contaminant in the liquid stream is at least about 50% less at the outlet of the treatment section than at the inlet of the treatment section. 22. The method of claim 21,
the liquid flow flows at a volumetric flow rate greater than about 3 cubic meters per second for each meter of the channel width of the treatment zone and for each meter depth of the treatment zone;
the contaminant comprises microplastics having a size less than about 25.0 mm; And
wherein the volume of the contaminant in the liquid stream is at least about 90% less at the outlet of the treatment zone than at the inlet of the treatment zone. A filtering vessel comprising at least two hulls forming at least one channel capable of removing contaminant-laden water, the vessel comprising:
a nanobubble diffuser system configured to disperse nanobubbles of air in a channel water stream flowing between two or more hulls and to attach micronanobubbles to the contaminants to form a mass of contaminants and nanobubbles;
at least two said hulls defining at least one channel;
a larger bubble diffuser system configured to disperse a blanket of larger air bubbles at a point downstream of the nanobubble diffuser system and to increase the rate of rise of the mass of contaminants and nanobubbles; And
wherein the ratio of the mass of dispersed contaminant and nanobubbles to the blanket of larger bubbles can be varied and controlled to regulate and control the rate of rise of the mass of contaminant and nanobubbles. 28. The method of claim 27,
one or more floating skimmer cassette assemblies positioned within said one or more channels;
the one or more floating skimmer cassette assemblies are located downstream of the nanobubble diffuser system; And
Each of the one or more floating skimmer cassette assemblies comprises:
a plurality of skimmer blades mounted on one or more chains having rotational power to remove contaminants from the water surface;
one or more pontoons mounted on a support structure of the floating skimmer cassette assembly configured to float one or more floating skimmer cassette assemblies on the water surface;
a skimmer beach for receiving and dewatering degreased contaminants, and
and a wave containment edge formed as a leading edge of the skimmer beach to contain incoming waves of water to create a quiescent treatment zone for generating air flotation.

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